---
title: "Expression Engine, the only CMS"
author: Garrett Winder
date: 2009-04-11
source: GANDR Web Design
weight: archive
url: https://garrettwinder.com/gandrwebdesign/expressionengine-the-only-cms/
---

# Expression Engine, the only CMS

> From the archive. Shows how Garrett got here; not his current views, services or prices. Written April 2009, GANDR Web Design. For what’s current, see https://garrettwinder.com/agents.md.

We just finished the new site and I thought it would be a good time to brag about [Expression Engine](http://expressionengine.com/ "Expression Engine") and why it’s the best CMS, by far, out there. Below I’ve tried to highlight a few (3) of the selling points - pardon my bad writing skills, I got a C in Language Arts in the 7th grade.

**1. Not Just For Blogging**

Most CMS’s out there seem more like a blogging tool to me. They limit you in the way you can arrange your design, content, code, whatever to a blogging style format with limited functionality, settings, etc. Sure, you can make a blog with EE if you want to, but you don’t have to. That’s the beauty. Once you install it (in 2 seconds), you login to the control panel and it’s a blank slate – the sky is the limit – decide how you want your site to work and function and easily make it happen.  
  
**2. Commercial Software. Constantly Getting Better**

Another plus to Expression Engine is that it’s commercial software. Yes that means it’s not free (though they have a [free version](http://expressionengine.com/ "EE Core Version")), but it also means it has wonderful [docs](http://expressionengine.com/docs/ "Expression Engine Documentation") and [forums](http://expressionengine.com/forums/ "Expression Engine Forums"). It also means there are actual employees sitting at their desks day and night constantly making it better, adding functionality and keeping EE that much better than it’s competitors.

**3. Die-Hard Fans**

Expression Engine also has a huge backing of die-hard followers (3 less than Apples). These followers tend to whip out add-ons day and night, meaning it has an [add-on](http://expressionengine.com/downloads/addons/ "Expression Engine Add-On Library") library that rivals Firefox and [tutorials](http://www.train-ee.com/ "Train-EE") upon [tutorials](http://www.eescreencasts.com/ "EE Screencasts") upon [tutorials](http://www.devot-ee.com/ "Devot-EE") on how to get you up and running in no time.

**So, where do I begin?**

1. Download [MAMP](http://www.mamp.info/en/index.php "MAMP") or [XAMPP](http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html "XAMPP") if you don’t already have a local web server on your machine.

2. Head over to the Expression Engine site and download the [Free Core Version](http://expressionengine.com/ "Free Core Version") off their homepage.

3. Once you’ve done that you need to get a cup of coffee, get in nerd mode, and follow the [Building A Small Business Site](http://www.train-ee.com/courseware/free-tutorials/category/building-a-small-business-site/ "Building A Small Business Site EE Tutorial") tutorial over at Train-EE and read every word!

4. Apply what you’ve learned to your next project.

Good luck and have fun!